DRAPER, UT, January 21, 2012 – The School Supplies Gift Program, sponsored by Utah-based Christensen & Hymas, is pleased to announce that Ms. Natalie Bristow, a 2nd grade teacher at Ridgeline Elementary School, and Ms. Staci Pugmire, a 6h grade teacher at Rose Park Elementary School, are the next recipients of the Golden Apple Award.

Ms. Bristow is a teacher that deserves this award because she, “gives everything that she can to help her students learn as much as possible.” Ms. Bristow is constantly seeking to improve the lives of those she teaches. This creates an atmosphere of love and respect in the classroom. Ms. Bristow is loved by her students because of this. Her dedication to the art of teaching makes for an effective learning environment, an environment where her students “know what they are learning.” Ms. Bristow determines what she teaches her students after considering the needs of each of her student to make sure her students are learning what will be most valuable for them.

A student’s parent that nominated Ms. Bristow said that his daughter absolutely loves Ms. Bristow because she is “so fun and interesting.” Because Ms. Bristow is a 2nd grade teacher it is important that she has the ability to instill a love of reading in her students. The nominator’s child said her favorite thing about her teacher is the passed on desire to read. “She loves to read stories to us.” Her enthusiasm for reading is due, no doubt, to the fact that Ms. Bristow loves reading so much, especially children’s books. It is obvious that Natalie Bristow is very deserving of this award because of her dedication to being the best teacher that she can be. We applaud Ms. Bristow for her efforts as a teacher, friend, and mentor.

Ms. Pugmire’s nominator had much to say that affirmed the fact that Ms. Pugmire is a “wonderful teacher.” Ms. Pugmire works hard for her students and spends long hours making sure that each day will be a magical learning experience. It is no doubt because of this dedication that her nominator said she always provides “great lessons [that] inspire her students.” Her influence does not end with her students however. Many other teachers come to her, hoping to draw from Ms. Pugmire’s 20 plus years of experience at Rose Park Elementary. One former colleague confirmed that she is an excellent source of new “ideas and teaching examples.” Because of her desire to provide the optimum learning experience Ms. Pugmire often dips into her own pocket to purchase school supplies and books so that her students will have everything they need at their disposal.

Ms. Pugmire’s teaching excellence can easily be recognized by the way she views her students. She strives to see all of her students as smart and kind and full of potential. Because of this she strives to get to know each student and cater to their specific needs. We at Christensen & Hymas praise Ms. Pugmire for her diligence, love, and energy she puts into her teaching.

About the School Supplies Gift Program:

Utah personal injury attorneys Ken Christensen and Russ Hymas, owners of Christensen & Hymas, started the School Supplies Gift Program to help public school teachers get extra classroom supplies without having to spend their own money. Each month the program gives the Golden Apple Award, which includes a $100 OfficeMax gift card, to a deserving Utah public school teacher and his/her class. Anyone can nominate a teacher for this program, including teachers, students, parents and administrators. To learn more about the program and nominate a teacher, click here.